[CR] Peculiar 50s era British Brake Arrangement

(Example: Racing:Beryl Burton)

Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:18:53 -0700
From: "Joseph LaTassa" <coffee18@verizon.net>
In-Reply-To: <549535.40906.qm@web50403.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Cc: "<Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Peculiar 50s era British Brake Arrangement


British Brake-onoscienti,

Nearly 30 years ago, on my initial trip to England to visit a collector with whom I'd been corresponding and trading back then, among other things I was shown what I recall was a top-quality 50s-vintage British lightweight, whose caliper brakes were somehow actuated by lifting the handlebars, i.e., they pivoted around the stem.  There were no brake levers, and the bars were of alloy.  I ddid take some fotos, but I have no idea where they might be.

This fellow's collection of some 25 or 30 British bikes was truly superb, so I know I was not looking at some novelty item.

Can anyone confirm that such a set-up existed, or provide some more details on it?

Thanks!

Joe LaTassa
Hellertown, PA